GIS Dictionary

[defense] A military symbology specification published by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). APP-6A is based on MIL-STD-2525A, the predecessor to MIL-STD-2525B.

[analysisgeoprocessing] Adding features from multiple data sources of the same data type into an existing dataset.

[non-ESRI software] A small program that usually executes from within a Web browser. Applets are compatible with most platforms, and can also be used within applications or devices that support … Read more

[software] A computer program that receives user requests through a client application and returns results to the client.

[Internet] A Web service that solves a particular problem; for example, a Web service that finds all of the hospitals within a certain distance of an address. An application Web … Read more

[symbology] A symbol that has no visual similarity to the feature it representsfor example, a circle used to represent a city, or a triangle used to represent a school.

1 [data structures] On a map, a shape defined by a connected series of unique x,y coordinate pairs. An arc may be straight or curved. 2 [data structures] A coverage … Read more

The data structure in a coverage used to represent linear features and polygon boundaries and to support analysis functions, such as network tracing. Nodes represent the beginning and ending vertices … Read more

[empty] A web-based system for sharing, finding, and using maps, layers, and services. ArcGIS Online includes a set of basemaps, map layers, and tools published by Esri for use inside … Read more

ArcGIS Pro is the main professional desktop GIS application from Esri, built on a 64-bit architecture. It also allows you to visualize, edit and analyze geographic data in 2D and … Read more

[ESRI software] A Web service processed and executed from within an ArcGIS server. Each Web service has a distinct HTTP location (URL). Web access is enabled by default for all … Read more

[ESRI software] An ArcGIS extension that provides spatial modeling and analysis features. It allows the creation, querying, mapping, and analysis of cell-based raster data and integrated vector-raster analysis.

[non-ESRI software] The command, provided with the Java ADF, that starts the Apache Ant tool that builds and deploys Web applications.

[computing] The internal design of an application or software package; the way software or hardware components are organized into a functioning unit.

[computing] A collection of information or data that is stored on a permanent medium such as CDs, discs, or tapes. Information is archived to ensure its security or persistence.

[ESRI software] In ArcGIS and ArcSDE, a procedure that allows a geodatabase to capture and store updates to features and records as the version is posted or edits are saved … Read more

[ESRI software] ESRI software that allows for centrally hosting and serving GIS maps, data, and applications for use on the Internet. The administrative framework lets users author configuration files, publish … Read more

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that allows users to manage ArcIMS services, servers, virtual servers, and folders.

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that handles the distribution of incoming requests. It tracks which services are running on which ArcIMS spatial servers and hands off a request to the … Read more

[ESRI software] A component used to connect the Web server to the ArcIMS application server. Types of connectors include ActiveX Connector, ColdFusion Connector, Java Connector, .NET Link, and Servlet Connector. … Read more

[ESRI software] A multitier framework that includes ArcIMS components: the ArcIMS Manager/manager applications, application server, application server connectors, monitor, tasker, spatial servers, and viewers. The complete architecture also includes a … Read more

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that allows users to organize data into a configuration file that can be used to create a service. A configuration file specifies the map content: … Read more

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that guides users in designing Web pages based on at least one service and one of the ArcIMS viewers. Users choose from a variety of … Read more

[ESRI software] A suite of Web pages, deprecated in the 9.0 release, that guides users through the process of authoring configuration files, publishing services, designing Web pages, and administering sites. … Read more

[ESRI software] Any one of these stand-alone applications: ArcIMS Author, ArcIMS Administrator, or ArcIMS Designer. Each of these applications guides users through a process: authoring configuration files (ArcIMS Author), creating … Read more

[ESRI software] An ArcIMS component that tracks the state of the ArcIMS spatial server. When a computer system reboots, ArcIMS Monitor restarts services automatically by restarting the site configuration. This … Read more

[ESRI software] A service that allows the content of a configuration file to be published on the Internet. The configuration file provides data layer content and symbology that the service … Read more

[ESRI software] A Web-based administration application that allows users to manage ArcIMS services and ArcSDE services remotely.

[ESRI software] An ArcIMS component that removes temporary image files generated by the image and ArcMap image services at a user-defined time interval.

[ESRI software] Any one of the three Web site designs that come as standard options in ArcIMS Designer: the HTML, Java Custom, and Java Standard. They provide the functionality and … Read more

[ESRI software] A grouping of one or more spatial servers into a single unit for administrative purposes. All of the following are ArcIMS virtual servers: the ArcMap server, extract server, … Read more

[ESRI software] The directory that stores the files that make up the ArcIMS Internet GIS application and other files. It is the directory specified as the Working Directory during the … Read more

[ESRI software] A serialization file containing ArcIMS folders and any submitted MapNotes and EditNotes. It is stored in the ArcIMS AppServer directory. This file replaces the EsriMapCookies.ser file used in … Read more

[ESRI software] A serialization file created in the ArcIMS AppServer directory that saves site parameters, including which services are running and which servers are started. This file replaces the EsriMapCatalog.ser … Read more

ESRI software

[data transfer] A file format, also known as an export file, used to enable a coverage, grid or TIN and an associated INFO table to be transferred between different machines … Read more

[ESRI software] A file-based collection of coverages, grids, TINs, or shapefiles stored as a directory of folders in the file system.

[ESRI software] A public ArcIMS virtual server that allows an ArcGIS user to create maps in ArcMap, rather than ArcIMS Author or ArcIMS Manager, and publish them on the Internet. … Read more

[ESRI software] A library of software components that make up the foundation of ArcGIS. ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Engine, and ArcGIS Server are all built using the ArcObjects libraries.

[ESRI software] Technology for managing geographic information in a relational database management system (RDBMS). ArcSDE is part of the ArcGIS platform, and is the data server between ArcGIS and relational … Read more

[ESRI software] The user who administers ArcSDE geodatabases. The ArcSDE administrative user can be the SDE user, but for DBO-schema ArcSDE geodatabases in SQL Server it is any user whose … Read more

An application or program that communicates with ArcSDE to query, store and manage spatial data. Examples include ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server, and ArcIMS.

[ESRI software] In ArcCatalog, an instance of SQL Server Express used to store ArcSDE geodatabases.

[ESRI software] A geodatabase stored in an RDBMS served to client applications using ArcSDE technology. An ArcSDE geodatabase can support long transactions and versioned workflows, be used as a workspace … Read more

[ESRI software] A single-user ArcSDE geodatabase that is created on Microsoft SQL Server Express.

[ESRI software] A collection of tables that store metadata about user tables in a geodatabase managed using ArcSDE technology. ArcSDE system tables are owned by an ArcSDE administrative user.

[ESRI software] A user interface in ArcGIS used for accessing, organizing, and managing a collection of geoprocessing tools, models, and scripts.

[ESRI software] In ArcView 3, a file for creating and storing documents for GIS work. All activity in ArcView 3 takes place within project files, which use five types of … Read more

[ESRI software] Acronym for Arc Extensible Markup Language. A file format that provides a structured method for communication between all ArcIMS components. ArcXML defines content for services and is used … Read more

[standards] A metric areal unit of measure equal to 100 square meters. One are is equal to 1,076.39 square feet, or 0.025 acres.

1 [Euclidean geometry] A closed, two-dimensional shape defined by its boundary or by a contiguous set of raster cells. 2 [Euclidean geometry] A calculation of the size of a two-dimensional … Read more

[ESRI software] In Survey Analyst – Cadastral Editor, a continuous set of parcels that have been selected for adjustment by least-squares.

[map design] The extent used to define a focus area for either a map or database production.

1 [computing] In computing, a value or expression passed to a function, command, or program. 2 [mathematics] In mathematics, an independent variable of a function.

[mathematics] A number, variable, function, or combination of these, with operators or parentheses, or both, that can be evaluated to produce a single number.

[ESRI software] A type of mathematical function that performs a calculation on the values of cells in an input raster. There are six arithmetic functions in ArcGIS Spatial Analyst: Abs, … Read more

1 [GPS] A set of objects that are connected to function as a unit. In GPS technology, an array of satellites is used to pinpoint locations on the earth. 2 … Read more

The point at which a satellite traveling south to north crosses the equator.

[data transfer] Acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. The de facto standard for the format of text files in computers and on the Internet that assigns a 7-bit … Read more

[Internet] Acronym for Active Server Pages. A Microsoft server-side scripting technology that can be used to create and run dynamic, interactive Web applications, which are typically coded in JScript, JavaScript … Read more

[programming] A Microsoft-created programming framework built on top of the common language runtime (CLR) that can be used on a Windows server to create Web applications in a variety of … Read more

1 [analysisgeoprocessing] The compass direction that a topographic slope faces, usually measured in degrees from north. Aspect can be generated from continuous elevation surfaces. For example, the aspect recorded for … Read more

[hardware] The ratio of the width of an image to its height. The aspect ratio of a standard computer monitor is 4:3 (rectangular)

[software] A package of software and its associated resources. For example, an ArcGIS Win32 assembly will typically include executables, DLLs, object libraries, registry files, and help files for a unit … Read more

A type of operator that assigns the result of an expression to an output, usually a raster, for storage.

[ESRI software] In Survey Analyst – Cadastral Editor, a feature class that uses the cadastral fabric as a basemap, and has been associated with cadastral fabric. Associated feature classes can … Read more

[computing] In UML, the relationship between two classes. In an association, instances of the classes in question usually exist together, but can exist on their own.

[surveying] A bearing measured from an arbitrarily chosen reference line called an assumed meridian.

[astronomy] An instrument that measures the vertical angle between a celestial body and the horizontal plane at an observer’s position. The astrolabe was replaced by the sextant in the fifteenth … Read more

[data editing] Not synchronous; that is, not occurring together or at the same time.

1 [programming] In programming, a set of actions or events that may occur simultaneously. For example a program that launches another program, then continues execution while the other program is … Read more

[programming] Acronym for Active Template Library. A set of C++ template classes, developed by Microsoft for use in building Windows COM objects.

[cartography] A collection of maps usually related to a particular area or theme and presented together. Examples of atlases include world atlases, historical atlases, and biodiversity atlases.

[remote sensing] Parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be transmitted through the atmosphere with relatively little interference.

[physics] A clock that keeps time by the radiation frequency associated with a particular atomic reaction. Atomic clocks are used in official timekeeping.

[remote sensing] The dimming and blurring effects in remotely sensed images caused by the absorption and scattering of light or other radiation that passes through the earth’s atmosphere.

[business] A measure of the combined attributes of a center or site that are considered positive features or that draw in potential customers or tenants.

1 [data models] Nonspatial information about a geographic feature in a GIS, usually stored in a table and linked to the feature by a unique identifier. For example, attributes of … Read more

[data models] Tabular or textual data describing the geographic characteristics of features.

[data structures] In a geodatabase, a mechanism for enforcing data integrity. Attribute domains define what values are allowed in a field in a feature class or nonspatial attribute table. If … Read more

[data analysis] A request for records of features in a table based on their attribute values.

[data structures] A database or tabular file containing information about a set of geographic features, usually arranged so that each row represents a feature and each column represents one feature … Read more

[data editing] In ArcMap, a dialog box that displays attributes of selected features for editing.

[data editing] The process of assigning attributes to features.

[computing] The process of validating the identity of a user who logs on to a computer system, network, or Web site.

[computing] Completion of the software registration process. During authorization, the single-use or server product and/or extensions have been installed and registered, and an authorization file has been generated through the … Read more

[computing] A file that contains single use or server product authorization data. Each authorization file contains information regarding the feature name, version number, time-out date, registration number, and authorization code.

[statistics] The correlation or similarity of values, generally values that are nearby in a dataset. Temporal data is said to exhibit serial autocorrelation when values measured close together in time … Read more

[graphics map display] The process of making maps using computer systems that carry out many of the tasks associated with map production.

The identification of geographic features and their outlines in remote-sensing imagery through postprocessing technology that enhances feature definition, often by increasing feature-to-background contrast or using pattern recognition software.

[data editing] An operation in which text is automatically placed on or next to features on a digital map by a software application according to rules set by the software … Read more

[computing] The automatic functioning of a machine, system, or process, without the need for human interaction. [software] In COM technology, a feature that allows an object that was designed for … Read more

[data capture] The scale at which nondigital data is made digital; for example, a map digitized at a scale of 1:24,000 has an automation scale of 1:24,000. The data can … Read more

[data capture] The creation of vector data from raster data through automated tracing of pixels that are in close proximity and of the same or similar value.

[data transfer] The degree of ease with which a dataset or other object may be found or obtained.

[ESRI software] The object-oriented programming language on which ArcView 3.x is based. Avenue provides tools for customizing ArcView 3.x and developing ArcView 3.x applications.

[3D GIS] The average distance separating sample points in a point dataset. A terrain dataset uses the average point spacing of a dataset to define a horizontal tiling system into … Read more

[remote sensing] Acronym for Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. A scanner flown on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar-orbiting satellites for measuring visible and infrared radiation reflected from vegetation, … Read more

1 A line along which measurements are made in order to determine the coordinates of a location. 2 [coordinate systems] In a spherical coordinate system, the line that directions are … Read more

1 The horizontal angle, measured in degrees, between a baseline drawn from a center point and another line drawn from the same point. Normally, the baseline points true north and … Read more